Feds to probe allegations of discrimination in Brevard schools

May 8, 2013

Written by

Mackenzie Ryan

FLORIDA TODAY

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating allegations of race-based discrimination in Brevard Public Schools.

Four complaints filed by the North Brevard Chapter of the NAACP triggered the investigation, an agency spokesman confirmed.

The areas that will be investigated include: The rate of suspensions among black students; the hiring of black teachers; the promotion of black teachers; and the closing of three schools with a high percentage of black students, while keeping open a school serving mostly white students.

School Board Chair Barbara Murray declined to comment because it’s an ongoing investigation.

According to the Office for Civil Rights, opening an investigation into the allegations does not confirm their merits. During the investigation, the office services “as a neutral fact-finder, collecting and analyzing relevant evidence.” according to a letter confirming the investigation.

Florida Today recently reported on the NAACP’s complaint and the “disturbing trend” of suspensions among black students: http://on.flatoday.com/11j6HRP

“The data suggests there are some inequities,” said North Brevard NAACP President Bill Gary, who filed the complaint.

Black students are suspended 2½ times more frequently than white students, yet make up a smaller percentage of the population, he said.

In Brevard last year, black students made up 15 percent of the student population, but accounted for 30 percent of suspensions. In comparison, white students account for 66 percent of the population, but 52 percent of suspensions.

The North Brevard chapter also voiced concern over the hiring and promotion of black teachers.

“It’s an ongoing concern that hasn’t been addressed,” Gary told FLORIDA TODAY.In recent years, the number of black principals has fluctuated between six and eight — roughly 6 to 8 percent of all principal positions, according to school district data. In the past 25 years, only one of the area’s 16 public high schools has had a black principal, the complaint says.

About 5 percent of all teachers in Brevard are black, a percentage that has remained consistent in recent years, according to the district. Census data shows that blacks make up 10.5 percent of Brevard County’s population.

The complaint also expressed concern about three schools closing later this month. Gardendale Elementary on Merritt Island, South Lake Elementary in Titusville and Clearlake Middle in Cocoa are closing as part of cost-cutting measures by the school district. A fourth school considered for closure, Sea Park Elementary in Satellite Beach, is being kept open.

If the federal agency does find that the district is out of compliance, it helps negotiate a resolution to fix the issue. In virtually all cases, school districts work with the agency, the spokesman said.Check back for more.

Ryan is at 242-3664 or mryan@floridatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @Mackenzie_Ryan or at Facebook.com/FloridaTodayEducation.